Bryan: Fed Drought Declaration, Gabriel in at Troubled VIHFA

M.A. Dworkin

St. Croix - Governor Albert Bryan Jr. on Monday, August 10, 2026, announced at a Press Briefing at Government House on St. Croix that he has formally requested of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to issue a federal drought disaster declaration for all three of the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

The request comes as the Territory continues to experience extreme drought conditions on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John, according to a Drought Information Statement from the National Weather Service (NWS). The prolonged dry conditions are placing significant strain on the Territory’s agricultural community, particularly livestock producers. 

A federal drought disaster declaration would help eligible Virgin Islands livestock producers qualify for assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Livestock Forage Disaster Program and provide access to additional federal disaster support. 

“Drought conditions throughout the Territory are serious, and our farmers, particularly our livestock producers are feeling the effects,” Governor Bryan said. “We are taking steps to ensure they have access to every resource available to help them weather these conditions. A federal disaster declaration would provide critical assistance to those who are being impacted.”

VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen reported at the Press Briefing that a burn ban remains in effect for St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix and Water Island as the Territory continues to contend with extremely dry conditions. 

VIHFA Board Selects Derek Gabriel as New Executive Director 

Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) Commissioner J.P. Oriol, who also serves as Chairman of the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA)  Board of Directors, announced at the briefing that the VIHFA Board has selected Department of Public Works (DPW) Commissioner Derek Gabriel to serve as the Authority’s next Executive Director.

Mr. Gabriel will depart his role as DPW Commissioner to lead VIHFA, where he will oversee the Authority’s work to expand housing opportunities, administer housing and finance programs, and advance affordable housing and community development initiatives throughout the Territory.

“Derek has been an important part of the progress our Administration has made on infrastructure across the Territory,” Governor Bryan said. “Under his leadership and with the hard work of the team at Public Works, we have moved critical road, transportation and infrastructure projects forward from planning to construction, and, in many cases, to completion. I thank Derek for his service to our Administration and the people of the Virgin Islands, and I congratulate him on being selected by the VIHFA Board for his new responsibility.”

Governor Bryan said Mr. Gabriel’s transition comes as VIHFA continues its important work to address the Territory’s housing needs and advance housing and community development initiatives.

“VIHFA  has an enormously important mission, particularly at this moment in our Territory’s recovery and development,” said Governor Bryan. “I am confident Derek will bring the same energy, professionalism and focus on getting results to his new role.”

Mr. Gariel’s appointment comes in the wake of a federal HUD suspension of future VIHFA funds by the Trump Administration, which is being appealed by officials of the Bryan Administration. The action by HUD Secretary Scott Turner ultimately caused the resignation of Dayna Clendinen as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Recovery Officer of the VIHFA in July 2026.